Registration opens for spring On the cover
Underwood visits IVCC
.S. Rep. Lauren nderwood discusses issues with geology professor Mike Phillips and students during a recent campus visit.
nderwood, an incumbent, is running against GOP candidate James Marter for the 14th Congressional District, which represents the area around Illinois Valley Community College.
nderwood visited with students for an hour taking questions about issues important to them on the state and national level.
The general election is Nov. 5, and the college will be closed on that day.
The photo was taken by Photo Editor Ashton Watkins.
By the IV Leader Sta
Registration for spring semester classes is now open, and students should prepare now in Self-Service.
Counselors encourage students to make an appointment to help choose classes that are needed for their major or intended path of study.
Students can make sure they are on track to graduate or complete certificates as well as get a desired schedule that meets their other life commitments.
Students who experience technology issues with registration are encouraged to visit the Student Help Desk in A-201 or email shd ivcc.edu. Spring classes begin on Jan. 9.
Students can pay for tuition through Self Service or through the Cashier’s office. If you have any questions, call (815) 224-0360.
By Brianna Sanchez
Roundtable gaming resumes
By Cameron Creed IV Leader Sta Writer
After a few years off during the pandemic, Roundtable Gaming Club has resumed activity on campus.
When everyone meets up, there are all kinds of games they can play. Sometimes they are competitive, and other times they are relaxed and in good fun.
They range from video games to board games, such as chess, which they took in after the original chess club adviser retired.
They also hope to revive Anime Club, but they do not have enough people to make it work at this point.
Ashton Watkins, an active member of Roundtable Gaming, says that his favorite part of the college experience is being involved, and he wants to give people a chance to connect and get involved in something that may interest them.
The club gives people a place to fit in and make all kinds of memories, Watkins said. One of the main goals of the club is to have a welcoming environment and let people talk to others that they might not have talked to under other circumstances.
The Roundtable Gaming club is trying to plan monthly events, so be sure to look out for those when they get announced.
Insructor Jason Beyer is the adviser for the club.
IV Leader graphic/Sonja Penney
Last Hispanic Heritage Month Event!
Story and photos by Xochitl Gutierrez
The Hispanic Leadership team hosted their last Hispanic Heritage Month event. The event was on October 14 in CTC 125.
At the event, tortas were served for lunch.
A torta is a type of sandwich from Mexico that is made of a small loaf of bread. The loaf is cut in half and toasted in a pan.
After it is toasted, the inside of the bread is covered in beans, then layered with any kind of
Sara Escatel, the Hispanic Leadership Team’s advisor, is serving tortas.
Tortas were served at the event, along with Mexican soda called Jarritos, a tortilla c ips
Students decorate their skulls while enjoying tortas for lunch and tres leches cake for dessert.
Members of the Round Table Gaming group play video games at a recent meeting. Instructor Jason Beyer is the faculty adviser for the club. Students can contact Beyer or member Ashton Watkins for information.
21st Century Scholars honored
Shelby Einhaus of Ottawa was named the Illinois Valley Community College Foundation 21st Century Scholar at a ceremony at Senica’s Oak Ridge.
She was honored along with three other finalists at the 18th Annual 21st Century Scholars Society dinner.
The daughter of Duane and Melissa Einhaus plans to study agriculture at a university next year.
In her speech accepting the $4,500 scholarship, Einhaus expressed gratitude for the award.
The other three finalists each received 2,500 scholarships. They are Emma Garretson, Peru, daughter of Todd and Chris Garretson; Alexia Gross, Mendota, daughter of Christopher Gross, and Hannah Larsen, Ottawa, daughter of Devon and Stephanie Larsen.
Merit award winners receiving $1,250 each were: Travis Dougherty of Marseilles, son of John Dougherty and Nicole Vanda; Abigail Kunz of Mendota, daughter of Matthew and Stephanie Kunz and Garret Zinke of Mendota, son of Kyle and Heather Zinke and Nicole Zinke.
Special Recognition award winners receiving $1,000 each were: Courtney Bailey of Streator, daughter of Edward Jr. and Angila Bailey; Lydia Dornik of Peru, daughter of Kevin and Becky Dornik; Odin Klotz of Peru, son of Brian and Kelly Klotz; Creed McCormick of Peru, son of John and Holly McCormick, and Emma Walker of Ottawa, daughter of Aaron and Mindie Walker.
To qualify, students need to maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA as well as college involvement and service.
Freshmen elected to SGA
By Mia Solano-Cassani IV Leader Sta
Nearly 70 students voted in this year’s Student Government Association Freshmen Elections, electing three students for SGA positions.
For Freshmen representative, Pete Wilcox won with 45 votes.
On the Programming Board, Danica Scoma won with 47 votes. Litzy Lopez also won with 10 ballots.
Adviser Cory Tommason commented, “We are really pleased to have these freshmen join the Student Government Association. We have a strong group of sophomores that are highly involved at IVCC, and the new members will help the group fulfill their goals for the year.”
Wilcox, winner of the Freshman Representative, is 17 years old and attended Veritas Press Scholars Academy (online).
Scoma, who attended Lasalle Peru Township Highschool, is majoring in art therapy.
She stated, “I want to be a proactive voice here on campus for all students, solving problems before they become issues. My main goal is to create more social opportunity and I hope to provide students with an emphasis on community.”
Scoma will serve with Lopez on the programming board.
Sophomore elections for Student Government Association, including the Student Trustee, will be held in the spring semester.
IV Leader photo/Ashton Watkins GAMING GROUP
D I T O R I A L
Impact of nostalgia culture
In a world that seems to change faster every day, looking back is deeply comforting. Whether it’s binge-watching old episodes of Friends, rediscovering childhood video games like Animal Crossing: New Leaf, or seeing ‘90s fashion make a comeback, nostalgia culture has taken over. As a society, we crave the simplicity of the past, seeking refuge in memories of what we perceive as better, more carefree times. Why is it that we are so eager to revisit the past? As society faces uncertainty, nostalgia provides a much-needed anchor though relying too heavily on it might hold us back from embracing the future.
So, why are people so drawn to things from the past, especially in moments of collective or personal anxiety? According to Sage Journals, nostalgia elevates our sense of belongingness, meaning in life, and a sense of connection between one’s past and present self. It can also serve as a distraction against uncomfortable emotional states such as loneliness. Nostalgia can trigger memories of simpler, happier times, which provides a sense of safety and control for a lot of people. This is why a lot of people tend to fall back on nostalgia culture to cope with their emotions, however over-relying on the past can lead to avoiding the challenges of the present. So it is important to find a healthy balance between healthy nostalgia and over-reliance on nostalgia.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of 80s, 90s, and early 2000s content in movies, TV shows, and games. Classic video game remakes like Nintendo’s Mario to recent films incorporating characters from past movies
into their newer productions like Marvel Studios. The reason behind this is because the corporations and companies behind these forms of entertainment are targeting the specific groups of people who lived through these times in order to broaden their audience.
Reboots and remakes often outperform original content because they come with a built-in audience already emotionally connected to the material. Media companies capitalize on this nostalgia, as familiar stories from beloved franchises are seen as low-risk investments with high chances of success. Fans are eager to revisit these stories, while updated visuals or fresh takes attract new audiences. Doing this allows reboots to outshine original content, which has to work harder to gain attention. While some criticize this trend for sti ing creativity, it remains a profitable strategy as nostalgia continues to drive consumer demand.
Furthermore, brands leverage nostalgia as a marketing tool, tapping into consumers’ fond memories to sell products that evoke a sense of familiarity and comfort. Retro sneaker lines, for instance, often draw inspiration from iconic designs of the past, creating a buzz among fans who long for the styles of their youth. This can sometimes feel manipulative or inauthentic. When brands excessively capitalize on nostalgia without genuine connection to the original content or culture, it can create an underlying sense of exploitation, reducing beloved memories to mere marketing gimmicks. It raises concerns about these marketing strategies: are they celebrating the past or merely commodifying it for profit
Nostalgia can serve as a powerful source of comfort for a lot of individuals, allowing them to connect with their past and evoke fond memories that foster a sense of belongingness. It often times brings people together, allowing them to bond over shared experiences. However, while nostalgia can provide comfort, there is a downside: excessive dwelling on the past may hinder individuals from fully engaging with the present or looking toward the future too much. When people become too fixated on what once was, they might miss opportunities for new experiences or growth, which can stunt their emotional development and limiting their ability to adapt to an everchanging world. Currently there are no signs of nostalgia culture diminishing. However, societal trends are inevitably repetitive, and while nostalgia is dominating mainstream media now, there is always potential for a shift toward other themes. As technology advances and societal values evolve, new forms of creativity and expression may emerge that draw on the present rather than the past. This raises an essential question: How does society balance our appreciation for the past, which provides us with identity and connection, with the necessity of building something innovative and relevant for our future? Finding this balance is crucial not only for everyone’s personal growth but also for fostering a society that values both tradition and progress. For the time being though, I’m gonna enjoy nostalgia culture for as longas it lasts.
SGA welcomes three members
Hello Eagles!
The results for the Freshman Student Government Elections are in, and we’re thrilled to welcome three new members this year.
Danica Scoma from Utica has been elected as the Freshman Programming Board Representative. She shared, “I’m excited for the
opportunity to meet new people and to help push students at IVCC to become more active and create a strong sense of community!”
Litzy Lopez from Peru was also elected as the other Freshman Programming Board Representative. She said, “I am excited to be part of student government
because of the new opportunities it brings. I am looking forward to learning new things and getting more involved with the college community!” Pete Wilcox was voted the Freshman Representative. I look forward to working with all of them this year.
Again, don’t hesitate to
IV LEADER STAFF
Editor: Emma Coss
SportsEditor: Sam Bima
Photo Editor: Ashton Watkins
Graphics: Sonja Penney
Illustrations: Brianna Sanchez
Sports Photographer: Makade Rios
Sta : Clare Phillips, Lydia Kunkel, Brianna Sanchez, Grace Mertel, Noah Girard, Xochitl Gutierrez, Ashleigh Mack, Mia Solano-Cassani, Cameron Creed, Nicholas Graham.
IV Leader, a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, is published monthly by students of Illinois Valley Community College. Editorials and columns express opinions of student and sta members and do not necessarily express the views of IVCC, the administration or the Board. Editorial opinions are those of a student editorial board.
Letters to the editor must be signed and should be addressed to the IV Leader O ce E-321, IVCC, 815 N. Orlando Smith Ave., Oglesby, IL 61348-9691.
Trustee
’s Corner
BY EMMA GARRETSON STUDENT TRUSTEE
contact me at K002D7E1@ ivcc.edu with any questions or concerns you may have.
the sta , apply for a sta position, and explore the newspaper’s long, distinguished history online.
To join the sta , contact lori_cinotte@ivcc.edu
Forever Plaid Cast
Frankie Jake Jakielski, Marsellies (Community Member, IVCC Alumni)
Smudge Gennaro Piccolo, Spring Valley (IVCC Student)
Sparky Don Grant Zellmer
Jinx Lucas Fraga, Streator (IVCC Student)
Director/Choreographer: Don Grant Zellmer
Producer: Dr. David Allan Kuester
Music Director: Alex Guerrero
Technical Director: Chad Brokaw
Stage Manger: McKenzie Bruce, Streator (IVCC Student)
Pop star Liam Payne dies
On Oct 16, 2024, pop star Liam Payne was found dead in Buenos Aries, Argentina. Payne was most well-known for his place in the popular early 2000s boy band, One Direction. This loss came as a shock to the world, as it was extremely unexpected. He was only 31 years old when he passed away, and he was in Argentina to watch his ex-bandmate, Niall Horan. Multiple reports claim that Payne was acting very erratic and angry in the hotel lobby where he was staying at the time, where he was then promptly taken to his room and told to stay there. He was reported to have fallen, not jump, off the balcony. Fans around the world are devastated and don’t know how to deal with this loss. A lot of fans are having a hard time accepting it all. He was absoultly under the in uence of several hard drugs at the time of his passing, including something special to the area, “cristal”
which has beem known to cause hallucinations, mood swings, and agitation. A lot of fans think that too much information about this case is out too soon, and some still are looking for more information. A lot of fans are now doing things in tribute of Payne and One Direction because they were such a big part of their lives growing up. All of his fellow bandmates have made tribute posts to him, and the One Direction account posted for the first time in four years as a tribute. Artists across the world are doing the same for him, while also showing support to his family, his girlfriend, and his son. This will be remembered for a long time coming.
BY CAMERON CREED IV LEADER COLUMNIST
‘Forever Plaid’ presented
By Lily Gerkitz IV Leader Sta
The Ivcc Theater Department will be performing the musical “Forever Plaid” from Thursday, Nov. 14 to Sunday, Nov. 24.
The times for each show are Nov. 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 at 7:30 p.m. And Nov. 17 and 24 at 2 p.m.
The Ticket prices will be 20 Adults, 15 High School and younger, Free for IVCC Students and Employees availble at www. ivcc.edu/theatre.
The show tells the tale of the 1950’s musical quartet, Forever Plaid.
The guy group consisting of Sparky, Smudge, Jinx, and Frankie takes us along their journey using classic barbershop quartet harmonies and pitch perfect melodies.
On the way to their “breakout” gig, they are killed in a bus accident, due to this acci-
dent their lives and careers end but Forever Plaid’s story is just beginning.
As quoted from Don Grant Zellmer (Sparky) “People are going to be surprised at the non-stop songs from the 50s and 60s eras, combined with unintentional and goofy comedy.
Before boy bands, there were guy groups and we are bringing the swinging sounds from the 50s and 60s, complete with 4-part harmony. Including such retro hits as ‘
Three Coins in the Fountain,’ Shangri-La,’ ‘Moments to Remember,’ and almost two dozen more hits.
It’s a great, big show with a small cast of four that never leave the stage. Everyone is having a ball learning the music and recreating the guy group harmonies.”
This production is full of charming harmonies and eye-catching choreography, sure to keep audiences laughing and singing along!
The Black Parade: Story of Death, Acceptance
My Chemical Romance’s “The Black Parade” was released in October of 2006, and was a massive success, but what many don’t know or realize is that it is a concept album, an album that tells a story, and this story is heavily debated within the music world. My perception of the story of “The Black Parade” is heavily in uenced by Wendigoon’s video on the topic titled “The Hidden Story of The Black Parade.”
“The Black Parade” revolves around two characters, The Patient and Death, who both have songs from their individual perspectives in the album. You can tell whose perspective the song takes place in by how the song opens: If it opens with more acoustic elements, it is from The Patient’s point of view, but if it opens with metal or rock instrumentals it is sung by Death. There is one exception to this rule, and that is the song “Teenagers,” which is from The Patient’s perspective, but opens with rock. It should be noted the story and album don’t match chronologically.
“The Black Parade” is an album about a young man who is diagnosed with terminal cancer. This man, known as The Patient, is implied throughout the album to not be a very good man. He is shown to be angry and unkind, and this is most evident in songs such as “Teenagers” and “I Don’t Love You.” In “Teenagers” he shows a very outward hatred towards the society and people around him. In “I Don’t Love You” he describes his anger towards his now ex-girlfriend, who left him because of his cancer diagnosis. While he is dying, Death mocks him for the life he lived, one example being
in the song “House of Wolves” where Death repeats the line “Tell me I’m a bad, bad, bad, bad man,” over and over again. At the end of the song “The End.” The Patient pleads for someone to save him and is then cut off by Death as the song transitions into “Dead!” where Death drills in the fact that The Patient is going to die.
Eventually, in the songs “Cancer” and “Disenchanted,” The Patient comes to terms with his mortality. He accepts that he wasn’t the best man, that he didn’t lead the best life, but it was his life, and he’s okay with that. The Patient isn’t angry anymore instead, he’s ready for what comes next. It is then in “Sleep” where The Patient begins to slip away from life, but after seeing The Patient’s change of heart, Death no longer wishes for him to die, as near the end of the song you can hear him screaming for The Patient to wake up. “Famous Last Words” contains the voices of both Death and The Patient, as Death begs for The Patient to keep fighting, but the Patient knows that it’s too late for him, but he isn’t sad about it anymore, and he’s ready to move on. Death realizes he was wrong about The Patient, and as a final apology and parting gift, Death throws The Patient a parade, which is when the song “Welcome to The Black Parade” takes place, as The Patient is welcomed into the afterlife.
Men’s basketball season tips o
Coach: Eagles ‘improving every day’
By Sam Bima IV Leader Sports Editor
With the fall sports ending and NBA tipping off, that means college basketball is almost here.
The IVCC men’s basketball team has just gotten off their preseason road trip and are gearing up for the start of the season on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Lake County College.
The Eagles have six returning sophomores, but Coach Chris Herman believes he will get his leadership from the two All- Conference players in Roderick Watson-Pearcey and Qu’amar Hobbs.
Watson-Pearcey was team captain last season, while Herman expects “Qu’amar Hobbs to be more of a vocal leader for this year’s squad.”
Herman spoke highly
about several freshman who stood out during the pre-season.
“Joshua Clay 6-7 Forward from Auburndale, Florida has been impressive at times with great athleticism and ability to finish around the basket,” Herman said.
Herman said Ayipey Salinas, a 6-foot guard from Blue Island Eisenhower, is a “tough minded gym rat that competes every day.”
Likewise, Hunter Staton from Serena and Kahmar Dailey from Peoria Quest bring the ability to knock down the three-point shot.
Marlon Williams, a 6-5 product from Horizon SW Academy in Chicago, led the IHSA in rebounding last year averaging over 17 per contest.
Adrian Moss, a 6-foot guard from Largo, Florida, has been hampered by a
knee issue but “will also be vying for minutes.”
Herman said, “We are improving every day.”
The Eagles are in a 20team Region, and they finished ninth last year.
The Eagles have “a definite goal to be in the top 8 this season.”
One player Coach Herman expects to have a breakout year is Roko “Jerry” Jurasovic from Splitt, Croatia. Jurasovic has shown vast improvements in his shooting and footwork around the basket, according to Herman.
Herman also added, “Jerry has gotten much stronger and is playing more confident.”
The team has its home opener at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5 vs. Moraine Valley. All IVCC students have free admission with student ID card.
Name
Men’s Basketball Roster
Hometown
Ayipey Salinas Blue Island, IL
Roderick Watson-PearceyTampa, FL
London Cabrera Peru, IL
Qu’amar Hobbs Tampa, FL
Roko Jurasovic Split, Croatia
Kamarr Evans Chicago, IL
Roko Kegalj Split, Croatia
Sam Adeniran Homewood, IL
Joshua Clay Auburndale, FL
Adrian Moss Largo, FL
Marlon Williams Chicago, IL
Hunter Staton Sheridan, IL
Kahmr Dailey Peoria, IL
Head Coach: Chris Herman
Runners finish in top 5 in region championship
By Sam Bima IV Leader Sports Editor
Illinois Valley Community College’s 2024 cross country season came to a close Saturday in the NJCAA Region IV Cross Country Championships in Lockport.
In two highly competitive races, the Eagles had some of their best races with the men taking 5th place and the women 4th in NJCAA Region IV Divsion II.
Freshman Dagen Setchell and sophomore Erik Garcia led the men’s team in the 8KM race, finishing in 30:58 and 31:06, respectively. They were followed by Christian Yepsen (33:43), Azael Vargas (34:41), and Kevin Rynke (35:14) -- all setting personal bests.
Freshman Tatiana Serna was the first Eagle across for the women’s team with a time of 23:48 in the 5KM race.
Freshman Dagen Setchell passes an opponent runner.
on Saturday, Nov. 16 on the IVCC campus.
Matt Baker is coach for the teams.
Volleyball
The Illinois Valley Community College volleyball season has offically come to an end.
The Eagles had an 8-18 record after closing out the season. This Eagles squad had an average of 7.43 kills per set and 13.55 digs per set.
Sophomore Camryn Pisica led the team with 176 kills while Emma Garretson lead the team with 2.44 kills per set.
Freshman Marissa Sanchez led the team in digs with 305. She is also leading the Eagles in digs per set with 3.63.
Aubree Acuncius led in assists with 434 and assists per set with 5.17.
Men’s Soccer
The IVCC Men’s Soccer team had an overall record of 4-8-4 after their final regular season game on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at Harry S. Truman College.
Freshman Daniel Candeias led the squad in goals with 4 and in total points with 8. Sophomore Vasco Goncalves led in shots with 29 and is tied with Candeias with shots on goal with 11.
Jabulile Mooketsi from South Africa led in saves with 85.
Women’s Soccer
The Women’s Soccer team has a record of 5-9-2 after a final regular season game on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at Harry S. Truman College.
She was followed by Kailey Goetsch (26:26), Meghann Ostler (27:26), Kristy Hoang (30:20), and Claire Durdan (32:12.
Next up for the team is hosting the IVCC Eagles Run – a high school 5 KM and junior high 2-mile race -
The IVCC Volleyball team played their last regular season game at Moraine Valley Community College on Thursday, Oct. 24.
Freshmen Abigail Poole, Litzy Lopez, and Danica Scoma led the team in goals with 9 each.
Poole and Scoma also led the team in assists with 5 and points with 23. Goal-Keeper Grace Johnson has saved 104 shots this year.
Photo Submitted for IV Leader